Technically it would be possible to convert your SMSF to being a Small APRA Fund (SAF) whereby the members cease to be trustees of the fund and a resident trustee takes over.

However, in practice we have found that it can be difficult to convert an SMSF to a SAF because of the strict rules that trustee companies impose in terms of the investment strategy of the fund.

Based on our experience over the last decade, mainstream commercial trustee organizations will typically not be prepared to convert an SMSF to a SAF where the SMSF (a) holds a single asset such as a property, (b) owes money, or (c) holds exotic assets such as collectibles or bullion.